East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has announced that she is ready to work with Dr Oburu Oginga's camp to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the country.
Nairobi ODM delegates endorse Winnie Odinga for Deputy Party Leader position
The MP had previously been associated with the ODM rebel faction, Linda Mwananchi, led by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
While her attendance at the meeting chaired by the Nairobi ODM branch chairperson and Makadara MP, George Aladwa, is expected to cause political waves within the party, she indicated that she is ready to fight for the party.
“This party is our home, the home that my father built. How can I leave this home? To go where? I will remain here in ODM,” Ms Odinga said.
ODM delegates during a meeting at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) in Upper Hill, Nairobi, on March 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
In her acceptance speech at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), the MP said that she is ready to take on the role her late father, Raila Odinga, had held as the Nairobi people's representative at the ODM's national level.
The delegates also endorsed a proposal that will be submitted to the ODM leadership ahead of the March 27 National Delegates Convention (NDC), where they want an amendment to be made to the party to allow another position of deputy party leader.
“When it comes to party positions, those who put their lives on the line, should be the first people to be considered for party positions. We will go there, Nairobi must have a seat on the table,” she said.
According to her, Nairobi County has more number of voters who have been standing with the party for years, hence, need to be represented in the party decision making organs.
“Nairobi will have its say and on March 27, we will have our day. It is time for ODM.”
Also, the leaders in Nairobi said that her deputy party leader position will be the beginning of her local politics ahead of 2027 election, where she is expected to vie for one of the seats in the City.
Mr Aladwa said that they have been having meetings with ODM leaders in Nairobi for the last few months, discussing how to ensure that the county has the representative in the ODM leadership able.
“Almost every region has a representative in the party and since Raila left us, we no longer have a representative. We want Winnie Odinga to go at the top table. This proposal was made last year and we are ready to submit it to the NDC,” Mr Aladwa said.
If the Nairobi County's demands are accepted, the MP will become the fourth deputy leader of the ODM party, working alongside the party leader, Dr Oburu, who has previously held different views on the party leadership.
She will be joining Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as party deputies.
ODM delagates in Nairobi have backed Eala MP Winnie Odinga as Dr Oburu Oginga's deputy in the party.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Kilimani MCA and Dagoretti North aspirant Moses Ogeto said that the EALA MP will breathe new life into the ODM party in Nairobi, enabling them to regain popularity across all the 17 constituencies.
“We will go out of our way to make sure that this party remains strong. This place is where the journey always starts for the Nairobi politics,” Mr Ogeto said.
As the party expressed its position on the 2027 elections, the delegates endorsed Mr Aladwa to vie for the Nairobi governor seat, which the MP accepted.
He said that those who are interested in running for the governor under ODM ticket must come and face the delegates in nomination, expressing confidence that his loyalty to the party will be rewarded.
“It will not be about money but loyalty to the party. Let them come and know that ODM is not an individual party. We will meet at the ballot and I want to insist that the governor seat must come to the ODM party,” Mr Aladwa said.
Also, the MP criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja who had stated that he would vie on ODM, saying that it will be about loyalty and support from the delegates.
